Estonia will lift its epidemiological requirement for entertainment venues to close by 23:00 for the New Year’s Eve and the first night of the year 2022, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports.
The measure was announced by Estonian Minister of Public Administration Jaak Aab after the government passed it on Thursday, December 16. The exemption will begin from the evening of December 31 and will last until 6.00 a.m. on January 2.
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Aab noted that Estonia’s coronavirus infection numbers have plateaued. The government’s scientific council and the Health Board, however, have recommended for the restrictions to remain in place.
Estonian head of government Kaja Kallas has noted that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has reached Estonia and is spreading, which means the government cannot lift the restriction. «This exemption does not mean the coronavirus will not spread on those two nights. I call on everyone who decides to spend New Year’s Eve at a public place to act responsibly to protect themselves and others. Getting a booster dose is very important, because studies show it increases protection against the Omicron strain significantly,» urged the Estonian prime minister, ERR reports.
Estonia to lift nightlife ban for New Year
